Camellia gymnogyna

Botanical Description

Camellia gymnogyna is an evergreen shrub or a tree; it usually grows from 3 - 8 metres tall, but can reach 10 metres[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a tea and has potential for commercial production like the closely related China tea (Camellia sinensis). It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens. Camellia gymnogyna has a wide distribution. However, it has been stated that subpopulations are rare and scattered and it is thought that the population trend is decreasing. This species is likely to be threatened by deforestation for agricultural and urban expansion and by over-harvesting for tea, in at least parts of its range. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].